UFC 303 LIVE: Pereira vs Prochazka fight updates and results after Dan Ige steps in on four hours’ notice

Follow live as Alex Pereira defends the light-heavyweight title in a rematch with ex-champion Jiri Prochazka

UFC's Robert Whittaker: 'I believe I'm the most dangerous middleweight ever'

Alex Pereira’s remarkable MMA run continued on Saturday, as the Brazilian knocked out Jiri Prochazka for the second time in seven months, retaining the UFC light-heavyweight title.

Pereira, a kickboxing great, became a two-weight UFC champion within two years of joining the promotion, stopping Prochazka in November to win the vacant 205lb belt – having previously held the 185lb strap. And on Saturday (29 June), in the main event of UFC 303, Pereira knocked out Prochazka in the second round again, recording a second defence of the light-heavyweight title.

In the final second of round one, Pereira dropped Prochazka with a signature left hook. Then, in the opening moments of round two, Pereira dropped the Czech with a head kick. Pereira then finished the former champion on the canvas with ground and pound.

Pereira, 36, and Prochazka, 31, stepped up after the original main event, Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler, collapsed this month. Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 303, below.

UFC 303 LIVE

• Conor McGregor was due to headline against Michael Chandler but suffered a broken toe
• New main event pitted Alex Pereira against Jiri Prochazka in a light-heavyweight title rematch
• Pereira knocked out Prochazka for the second time in seven months to retain the belt
• In a last-minute change, Dan Ige replaced the ill Brian Ortega to fight Diego Lopes
• Lopes won the co-main event on points after Ige stepped in on four hours’ notice
• Controversial Irish star Ian Machado Garry outpointed London’s Michael ‘Venom’ Page
• Machado Garry accused Page of bribing coaches for information before the fight

[30 June 2024 06:28 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

[30 June 2024 10:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

[30 June 2024 09:35 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

[30 June 2024 09:05 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

Main card

Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka via second-round KO (head kick, 0:13)

Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva via second-round TKO (doctor stoppage, 1:58)

Ian Machado Garry def. Michael “Venom” Page via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Prelims

Joe Pyfer def. Marc-Andre Barriault via first-round KO (punches, 1:25)

Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain via second-round KO (uppercut, 1:22)

Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri via first-round KO (punches, 0:19)

Early prelims

Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

[30 June 2024 08:34 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[30 June 2024 08:13 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[30 June 2024 07:43 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

Roman Dolidze (right) beat Anthony Smith on points after moving up to light-heavyweight (Getty Images)

[30 June 2024 07:20 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

Macy Chiasson busts open Mayra Bueno Silva’s forehead with an elbow (Getty Images)

Bueno Silva’s cut forced her fight with Chiasson to be stopped (Getty Images)

[30 June 2024 06:54 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

Ian Machado Garry (right) outpointed Michael ‘Venom’ Page (Getty Images)

[30 June 2024 06:15 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 303 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2

Diego Lopes (left) beat Dan Ige on points, after the later stepped in at the 11th hour (Getty Images)